Destinations > Asia > Russia > Russia
St. Petersburg Highlights
topWhat to See & Do
The Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace
Six elegant buildings housing one of the world’s finest art collections—over 1000 rooms of masterpieces.
Menshikov Palace
Built for Peter the Great’s right-hand man, it’s now a branch of the Hermitage.
Yusupov Palace
The best-preserved St. Petersburg palace—and the scene of Rasputin’s murder (or, more precisely, murders).
Russian Museum
Spans the history of Russian art, from icons to avant-garde.
Church on Spilled Blood
An ornate church marking the spot where Alexander II was assassinated.
St. Isaac’s Cathedral
One of the world’s largest, filled with impressive works of art.
Kazan Cathedral
This colonnaded masterpiece is a monument to Russia’s victory over Napoleon.
SS. Peter and Paul Fortress
The city’s oldest building houses the tombs of the Romanov dynasty.
Ballet at the Mariinski Theater
Russia’s imperial ballet and opera, performed in a new 1,100 seat theater.
Tsarskoe Selo
This “tsar’s village” was the country estate of Russia’s 18th century empresses.
Catherine’s Palace
Deservedly famous for its unique and lavish decor.
Pavlovsk Palace
Built for Catherine the Great’s son, it’s known for its beautiful landscaping.
Peterhof
The large and extravagant palace estate of Peter the Great.
Chinese Palace
Catherine the Great’s private retreat, designed in a Chinese motif.
topWhere to Stay
Grand Hotel Europe
Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa 1/7
Tel: +7 (812) 329-6000
Fax: +7 (812) 329-6001
“The” place to stay in St. Petersburg, this landmark hotel just underwent a major renovation, but kept its historic Style-Moderne interiors intact. Elegant decor and refined service are complemented by a spa, an indoor pool, and numerous restaurants.
Astoria Hotel
39 Bolshaya Morskaya
Tel: +7 (812) 494-5757
Fax: +7 (812) 494-5059
Luxurious rooms decorated in noble St. Petersburg style, and an ideal location just off the city’s main boulevard.
topGetting Around
Metro
St. Petersburg’s subway is not only the world’s deepest (with stations up to 130 feet below the surface), but also one of the loveliest. Though there are more efficient ways to navigate the city center, the Metro is worth visiting just to see the stunning decor. Below are some of the most noteworthy stations.
Avtovo
A Stalinist showpiece, with molded glass columns and rich mosaics
Narvskaya
Marble hallways and a stunning marble relief celebrating Soviet ideals
topWhere to Eat
Grand Hotel Restaurants
The numerous restaurants in the Grand Hotel Europe are among the best in St. Petersburg.
Tel: +7 (812) 329-6000
Dinner daily 5:30-midnight
The finest Russian caviar and a superb vodka selection. Elegant Art Nouveau setting.
Breakfast daily 7-10:30am; Dinner Mon—Sat 7-11pm
Sunday Brunch 12-4pm
Tel: +7 (812) 329-6622
One of St. Petersburg’s top restaurants for nearly 100 years. Expensive and exquisite. French and European specialties served in a lovingly restored Style-Moderne interior.
Tel: +7 (812) 329-6000
Open 12 to 11pm
Genuine Cantonese and Szechwan cuisine in a peaceful atmosphere.
Tel: +7 (812) 329-6000
Open 12-11pm
Fashionable Italian restaurant with a thoughtfully prepared menu by Chef Sergey Andreev. Lobster and seafood are a specialty.
Tel: +7 (812) 329-6000
Open daily 9am-10pm
Bright, airy atrium cafe offering pastries, snacks, desserts, and traditional Afternoon Tea.
A chic, elegant place to enjoy a cocktail, cigar, or light snack.
Davidov Restaurant
Hotel Astoria
39 Bolshaya Morskaya
Tel: +7 (812) 494-5815
Open daily 7am-12pm
Popular with well-heeled theater-goers, Davidov offers contemporary cuisine combined with Russian classics. Borscht is a standout.
Borsalino
ItalianAngleterre Hotel (adjacent to Hotel Astoria)
39 Bolshaya Morskaya
Tel: +7 (812) 494-5115
Open daily 7-1am
Low-key and stylish, featuring an original Italian menu and live jazz in the evenings.
Sadko’s
Corner of Nevsky Prospekt and 1/7 Ulitsa Mikhailovskaya
Lunch buffet daily noon-4pm.
Casual, modern restaurant on Nevsky Prospekt with a summer terrace.
topWhat to Buy
Jewelry & Eggs
Andrei Ananov7 Michurinskaya Ulitsa
Tel: +7 (812) 235-4251
Best-known for his Faberge-inspired eggs, St. Petersburg’s most celebrated jeweler also makes exquisitely crafted accessories.
Folk Art
Gallery Larusse
3 Stremyannaya Ulitsa
Tel: +7 (812) 572-2043
The city’s leading showcase for Russian antiques from the 18th to the 20th centuries, including paintings, furniture, forged ironworks, and authentic national costumes.
China
Imperial Porcelain Factory151 Prospekt Obukhovskoy Oborony
(20 min drive from center of city)
Tel: +7 (812) 326-1744
Gallery open daily 10am-6:30pm
This factory once made porcelain exclusively for Russia’s tsarist elite. Its best-known pattern, cobalt net, features intersecting lines of cobalt blue with accents of 22 karat gold. This and other designs are now sold at company stores around the city.